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Canada got the last hurrah at the Celebration of Light Saturday evening, closing the three-night event with a winning display. Canada was declared the winner of the event, with Brazil and China finishing second and third, respectively.

The 17 Standardbred horses were mostly young two- to three-year-olds that were resting ahead of the next harness-racing season at Fraser Downs this fall

The 17 Standardbred horses that died in a Langley barn fire on Sunday afternoon were valued at up to $1 million, according to the head of Harness Racing BC.

METRO VANCOUVER - Support is pouring in from across Canada for harness driver Bill Davis, who lost everything when a fire ripped through a Langley barn Sunday, killing the 17 Standardbred racehorses he trained as well as his family’s miniature pony.

Family friend Tanis Pearson said the Davis family is devastated by the loss, but are heartened by the outreach of community support that has come from across the country.

“They’re overwhelmed,” Pearson said. “They have a lot of grieving to do.”

The horses, mainly two -to three-year-old Standardbreds estimated to be valued at up to $1 million, were owned by Rick Mowles of JJJ Stables. They were not insured, Pearson said.

Mowles and Davis — considered a pair of passionate horsemen and one of the province’s premier horse racing duos - also lost $100,000 worth of equipment.

Efforts are being made to help the two men get back on their feet, including a collection drive for equipment for harness racing, buckets, halters, stall gates, fly masks, sprays, grooming kits, which can be dropped off at A&T Equestrian, 4615 190 St. in Cloverdale.

A “Davis Family Trust” fund has also been set up at any Aldergrove Credit Union, while a pub night is slated for June 18th at the Langley Town Hall.

Harness Racing BC is also staging a fundraising drive at the Fraser Downs Racetrack on June 17.

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